LIBRARY ADVISORY
BOARD UNAPPROVED
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
Session
08-11 a Regular Meeting of the Library Advisory Board was called to order on
PRESENT: BOARDMEMBERS WAGNER, LORD, HAWFIELD,
SEAMAN, FAULKNER, LARSON
ABSENT: LIBRARY DIRECTOR HILL (EXCUSED),
BOARDMEMBER MARTIN
STAFF: DEPUTY
Approval of the Agenda
Chair Hawfield called for a motion to approve the
agenda.
LORD/FAULKNER
– MOVED TO APPROVE THE AMENDED AGENDA.
There was
no discussion.
The
agenda was approved by consensus of the Boardmembers.
Public Comments Regarding Items on the Agenda
Mr. Frank
Vondersaar commented on the issue of using jump drives and after speaking with
Library Director Hill it was agreed that he would leave the issue in her hands
to discuss with the City’s IT personnel. He then
mentioned the new activities that were held in November by the Friends,
Dungeons and Dragons and the
He then
stated that on Sunday the Friends decorated the Library for the Holidays.
Reconsideration
There
were no items for reconsideration.
Approval of the Minutes
A.
Regular Meeting Minutes from
Chair Hawfield requested a motion
to approve the minutes.
LORD/FAULKNER
– moved to aPPROVE the minutes.
Comments were noted that the
minutes were in the packet backwards.
The minutes were approved by
consensus of the Boardmembers.
Visitors
A. Friends
Report –
Boardmember Lord did not reach any
members of the Friends. She did note that the next meeting was scheduled for
December 10th and due to her scheduling conflicts would not be in
attendance. She urged the remaining members to attend the meeting.
B. Visitors/Staff
Report -
City Manager Wrede responded to the
Memorandums he received from Chair Hawfield on behalf of the Library Advisory
Board and wanted to respond in person to their questions and concerns. He noted
that a meeting was conducted between Public Works Director Meyer, Library
Director Hill and himself a short time ago and it was determined that
miscommunication and the lack of communication has caused most of the
prevailing issues. However, it was agreed that the signs for the parking lot
would be installed soon. Library Director Hill gave Public Works Director Meyer
a map of the locations. They also discussed the landscaping issues and agreed
to meet after the first of the year to determine priorities and outline duties,
and responsibilities. It was agreed that any directives from the Boardmembers
would go through Library Director Hill and then through proper protocol and
procedures for appropriation of any funds required and direction of Public
Works staff to implement these would be requested by Library Director Hill
through Public Works Director Meyer.
City Manager Wrede did note that
the landscaping funds were included in the Library budget. He also commented
that if it was the goal to have Public Works staff to takeover maintenance of
the gardens then administration needed to address that now in the budget.
There was a brief discussion on
using summer personnel to attend to the Library gardens ½-1 day each week in
the summer. If this is the case then Administration may have to look at hiring
additional personnel in the summer, as they cannot handle the current workload.
He further explained that it would have to go before the City Council to spend
the money on something else since these funds were designated for landscaping
that was cut from the original budget.
Boardmember Wagner expressed that
each person involved has an opinion as what should be done with each area and
that has led to some of the confusion.
There was a brief discussion on the
benches and fencing that were requested. Boardmember Wagner clarified for the
city manager the intent and placement of the benches and fencing. City Manager
Wrede explained that the fencing was cost prohibitive, eating up the majority
of the remaining funds. He did note that there would be funds left over from
the construction budget and the Boardmembers should discuss replacing something
else that was cut out of the original budget for those funds.
City Manager Wrede then answered
questions from the Boardmembers and in particular responded that he would
express the Boardmembers concern over the energy usage of the Library to the
city consultant, Mr. Brian Hirsh. He will inform Mr. Hirsh that the Library
Advisory Board would welcome his or a representative of his company, attendance
at the January meeting to discuss their concerns in particular the
heating/cooling system.
There was a brief discussion on the
possible causes of the heat problem when a boardmember related a similar
problem they had with their boiler system.
City Manager Wrede expressed that
it would be beneficial to have the Boardmembers questions and concerns in
advance so that Mr. Hirsh will be able to provide the answers.
Chair Hawfield mentioned the
freezing problem in the parking lot, which presented a safety hazard. The City
Manager was unaware of this problem and the Boardmembers updated him on the
problem.
City Manager Wrede noted that they
have been working on an electrical problem within the building and have
resolved the timing issue with the lights.
There was no further discussion.
Library Director’s Report
A. Director’s
Report for December 2008
There was no Directors Report for
this month.
There was no further discussion.
B.
Monthly Statistics – November 2008
There was no statistics for this
month.
There was no further discussion.
Committee Reports
A. Art
Selection Committee Report – Eileen Faulkner
Boardmember Faulkner reported that
they have four submissions for display receiving the last one just as she was
leaving the library today (
At the last meeting they held a
discussion on alternative options.
There was no further discussion.
B. Landscape
Committee Report – Kyra Wagner
A brief discussion regarding the usage of the large grassy area on the Library grounds for establishing a community garden to help assist the food pantry and other enterprises. Boardmember Larson commented that if the economy continues its downward spiral that it might be a best use for this area. Boardmember Wagner stated that this area was originally designated a very low maintenance area. Boardmember Larson related an article she read recently about a community garden that fed the entire community. Boardmember Wagner knew many people who would be interested.
The Boardmembers agreed to add this
topic to the agenda under the Library Improvement Plan for January.
There was
no further discussion.
C. Library Sign Task Force
Boardmember Wagner reported that
after the first of the year she would distribute flyers to jog local artiste
memories regarding the request for proposal. The clerk reported four plan
holders at this time but no submittals have been received yet.
There was
no further discussion.
Public Hearing
None.
Pending Business
A. Library Improvement Plan
a.
Technology
Discussion opened
on the usage of jump drives by library patrons to save research or work.
Boardmember Seaman stated that she spoke with the IT personnel at the Hospital
and he stated it was nothing more than programming the computers to run a virus
scan of all peripherals attached to or plugged into the computer using the
current virus protection software.
The Boardmembers
would like to have the city IT personnel enlighten them on the issue the
problems with allowing jump drives. Many commented that libraries all over the
It was determined
that this issue could be better addressed for the February agenda and would
allow Library Director Hill to meet with Mr. Steve Bambakidis, Systems Manager.
There was no
further discussion.
b.
Outdoor signs and problem drainage
See comments under Visitors by City
Manager Wrede.
No further discussion
B. Library – Comments, Responses, Issues
and Challenges.
Boardmember Larson wanted to make sure that the energy problem was on the
January agenda.
There was no further discussion.
C. Youth Involvement
Boardmember Wagner stated that Mrs. Halseth was actively recruiting for a
student member but there was a lack of interest. Boardmember Wagner was advised
that they might have better luck with establishing a teen board first.
Boardmember Lord commented that the Library in
Boardmember Faulkner noted that there were other sectors to look for teen
recruits such as Connections and the
This will be kept on the agenda for a progress report next month.
There was no further discussion.
D. Censorship,
Space, Book Selection and Weeding
a. Article from the Library Journal,
Boardmember Lord had requested this
article to be included in the packet since she felt that the Wasilla Library
was similar in many respects to the Homer Library.
Discussion ensued regarding the
collections in the Homer library and even though they have heard comments
regarding increasing the conservative or Christian collections. They have not
received any complaints regarding censorship in quite some time. The Library
does have established policies in place regarding collections and censorship. A
brief discussion ensued regarding Borough assistance, forming a Library Service
Area and Library Service Area Board may bring more funds but also have more
strings attached to those funds.
There was no further discussion.
NEW BusinesS
Boardmember Wagner related that recently a committee
has been formed to perform Community health Assessments on a large scale. The
first meeting was held and attendees included businesses that would not normally
be considered health related. The focus is on the overall health of a
community. This Committee had a survey that was being distributed and wanted to
leave some at the library but when asked the staff, not sure who, told them it
was not allowed. She requested clarification that a survey should be allowed
and were told no in error.
Discussion
on this and a quick review of the Policies by Chair Hawfield revealed that the
survey should have been allowed, maybe not right at the front counter.
Boardmember Faulkner noted that they did have a rack for such items that a
former employee had been working on, it was not available at this time for use.
City
Manager Wrede recommended to always check with Library
Director Hill on matters like this and the Boardmembers concurred.
There was no further discussion.
Informational Materials
There were no informational
materials.
None.
COMMENTS OF THE
City Manager Wrede commented on the
competing sales tax ordinances that will be on the agenda at the upcoming City
Council meeting. He also noted that sales taxes are how the HART and HAWSP are
funded and that these taxes were voted in by the residents so those sales taxes
would still be effective.
Deputy
City Clerk Krause had no comments.
Comments from the Board
Boardmembers
Wagner and Lord had no additional comments.
Boardmember
Seaman requested clarification from City Manager Wrede if the funds left over
from construction could be used for seating at the entrance of the Library. It
was noted that it could possibly be used for this purpose.
Boardmember
Faulkner wished everyone a Happy Holiday.
Boardmember
Larson apologized for the disturbance caused by her cell phone at the last
meeting and wanted to emphasize the important of resolving the energy problem.
COMMENTS OF THE CHAIR
Chair
Hawfield thanked City Manager Wrede for attending the meeting and clearing up
some of the issues. He appreciated all his information. He would like to see
Brian Hirsh or a representative at the January meeting; he would like to have
Mr. Bambakidis on the February agenda to discuss the technology issues; and he
will contact Library Director Hill regarding the discussion of responsibilities
and duties for the Landscaping. He thanked the clerk for her assistance and
wished everyone Happy Holidays.
There being no further business to
come before the Board, Chair Hawfield adjourned the meeting at
Renee Krause, Deputy City
Clerk I
Approved: